Westport selectmen honor those who helped in hunting tragedy

Selectmen recognized three people whose actions helped in the rescue and attempted rescues of three duck hunters whose boat capsized near the mouth of the Westport River.

WESTPORT — Selectmen took a moment Monday night to recognize the actions of three people whose actions helped in the rescue and attempted rescues of three duck hunters whose boat capsized near the mouth of the river.

"This is what Citizen Spotlight should be all about," said Board of Selectmen Chairman Antone Vieira Jr.

"Citizen Spotlight" is the official name for selectmen's occasional recognition of the town's outstanding citizens of their contributions.

Recognition Monday night went to Charlotte and William Underwood, the first people to see and report the capsized boat, and acting Highway Surveyor Chris Gonsalves, who went to the scene as soon as he heard.

On the day of the accident, Charlotte Underwood thought she saw something floating in the river that might be a capsized boat. Her husband, William, drove to the scene and determined it was a capsized boat. William Underwood proceeded to call the authorities.

Gonsalves helped search for the bodies of the two men who died.

"Without thought for his own safety," Vieira said of Gonsalves.

William Underwood had one piece of advice for those who live on the water.

"If you live on the river and see anything at all, call it in," he said.

Email Marc Munroe Dion at mdion@heraldnews.com.

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